There are two games each in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Football Championships continue this weekend, with the JFC semi-finals down for decision on Sunday.
Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Round 2A Replay
Ballybay v Clontibret, Saturday, 5.00, Scotstown
Ballybay and Clontibret will once again bid for a semi-final place in the SFC at Scotstown on Saturday.
Ballybay finished strongly to secure a draw from an entertaining game in Castleblayney last Saturday, despite conceding a goal in each half to Clontibret’s Vincent Corey. Ballybay had started the championship with a hard-earned win over Latton, continuing their recent return to form, while Clontibret battled past Magheracloone. Ballybay beat Clontibret in the 2012 county final, but the O’Neills have contested another two deciders since; reclaiming the title last October. Clontibret are currently joint-third in the SFL, four points ahead of Ballybay, while it’s honours even in these teams’ league meetings this year, both having been won by the home team.
Clontibret’s chances rest on Ulster All-Stars Conor McManus, Dessie Mone, Vincent Corey and Conor Boyle, along with the likes of Colum Greenan and Ryan McGuigan. Ballybay have five Monaghan seniors – Drew and Ryan Wylie, Paul Finlay, Christopher McGuinness and Thomas Kerr – fit and ready for what should be another keen contest.
Greenfield Foods Senior Football Championship Round 2B Replay
Latton v Magheracloone, Friday, 8.15, Inniskeen
Latton and Magheracloone contest their SFC back-door replay under lights in Inniskeen on Friday night.
Latton were edged out in their SFC opener by local rivals Ballybay, while Magheracloone recovered from losing to Clontibret when they knocked Inniskeen out. The teams both have 14 points in the league and there is nothing to separate them from their head-to-heads either, as both were won by the home team. Even extra-time couldn’t produce a winner last Saturday, so they renew rivalries once more.
Latton will need Owen and Kieran Duffy, Owen Lennon, Owen Coyle and Aidan Farmer to lead the way, with James Ward, Gavin Doogan, Alan McCahey, Alan Kieran and Paudie McMahon crucial for Magheracloone, who are set to recall Tommy Freeman due after his one-match suspension.
McElvaney Recycling Intermediate Football Championship Round 3B
Corduff v Cremartin, Saturday, 3.30, Scotstown
Emyvale v Tyholland, Sunday, 2.00, Monaghan
The last two IFC semi-final places are up for grabs over the weekend, starting with Saturday’s game between Corduff and Cremartin in Scotstown on Saturday.
Corduff started with wins against Aughnamullen and Currin, before losing to Carrickmacross, while Cremartin recovered from their opening defeat against Currin by beating Clones (after extra-time) and Aughnamullen. Cremartin are in a share of third place in the IFL, seven points ahead of Corduff, who have a game in hand. Corduff took a point from a low-scoring game in Cremartin, only to later fall to a heavy defeat in the home fixture.
Corduff will be looking to Keith McEnaney, Pádraic Keenan, Declan Larkin, Ciarán Brennan and Gerard O’Callaghan (if fit) to lead their challenge, with Johnny McGuigan, Niall Flanagan, Barry Kerr, Barry Carragher and Patrick McNally crucial to Cremartin’s challenge.
There is also a north-Monaghan derby between Emyvale and Tyholland at Gavan Duffy Park on Sunday.
Emyvale beat Clones in the first round, but lost to Doohamlet in a replay where they played the entire hour with 14 men, while Tyholland also finished second-best against Doohamlet in the first round, but are back on the right track after wins over Drumhowan and Currin; the latter after a replay. Emyvale are only a point off the top of the league, in contrast to Tyholland, who are second from bottom. Emyvale also won both IFL meetings, although only by two points in both games.
Ryan McAnespie, Daniel McMahon, John Flannery, Garreth McQuaid and David McAlister are among the main men for Emyvale, while Dermot Coyle has been in good form for Tyholland, who will also need Karl O’Connell, Ronan McNally, Shane Treanor and Gary McQuaid on their game.
Universal Graphics Junior Football Championship Semi-Finals
Blackhill v Scotstown, Sunday, 4.00, Clontibret
Rockcorry v Toome, Sunday, 530, Clontibret
The JFC semi-finals are down for decision in a double-header at Clontibret on Sunday.
First up, Blackhill and Scotstown clash at the penultimate stage for the second year in a row. Blackhill are within touching distance of a third consecutive JFC Final appearance after wins over Seán McDermotts and Killeevan, while Scotstown recovered from losing to Rockcorry by knocking out Éire Óg, Killanny and Aghabog. Blackhill are joint-second in the league, just a point off the top, well clear of Scotstown, who they have beaten twice this year. A much closer game than Blackhill’s one-sided defeat of an understrength Scotstown team last month is on the cards this time.
Ryan, Dónal and Anthony Courtney, Michael Geehan and Colin Woods should play key roles for Blackhill, with Cian and Seán Mohan, Brendan Boylan and Daniel McNally potentially key men for Scotstown.
Next up is Rockcorry v Toome. Having played in senior football just two years ago, Rockcorry were always fancied for junior honours this year and they have qualified for the semi-finals with wins over Scotstown and Aghabog. Toome have recovered from losing the first game in the championship against Killanny back in May to win three consecutive matches against Seán McDermotts, Oram and Killeevan. Rock are top of the league and in good form, 11 points clear of Toome, who they defeated comfortably in their only meeting so far.
Rock will be looking for big performances from Mark McGuirk, Mark Daly, Noel Carroll, Niall McKeown and the recently-returned Fergal McGeough, while Toome will need Gavin Flanagan, Stephen Lambe, Gary Wilson, Mattie O’Reilly and Frank Connolly on top form.
The Monaghan Electrical Intermediate Football League continues this Sunday. Clones urgently need a win to stay in touch in the battle to avoid relegation when they host Aughnamullen, while Currin could do with some points from their trip to Doohamlet to ease their worries.
Killanny can go top of the Eurotech Junior Football League if they win away to Éire Óg on Sunday, while Seán McDermotts can take a big step towards securing a top-four spot when they go to Aghabog.
The Gerry’s Prepared Veg. juvenile competitions are in the home straight, with eight Under-14 Football League Cup and Shield finals to be played this Saturday (four in Clones and the other half in Drumhowan). Monaghan Harps host Castleblayney in the rescheduled Division One semi-final on Friday, with the final now set for next Wednesday.
Silver Hill Foods Under-16 Hurling Championship winners Carrickmacross contest the league decider against Fermanagh club Lisbellaw in Aughnamullen on Sunday.
By cshalvey Fri 11th Sep
